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making changes in skincare routine

I've recently examined my skincare routine and realized that I've been almost OCD, for thirty years, about washing my face. As a teen, I was terrified of getting pimples, so I washed my (relatively clear skin) up to ten times per day with Ivory soap. This did not change throughout my life Well, the frequency may have. By my 40s, I was washing only 3 to 5 times most days, but still with Ivory bar soap. I never used moisturizer in my life, due to my belief that I had "oily" skin and it would clog my pores. Plus, I was addicted to that "squeaky clean" dry and tight feeling, which I associated with being clean.
No more. Just over one week ago, I switched to Cetaphil gentle liquid cleanser, used only twice per day, and Cerave night moisturizer used nightly over my Metrogel.
At first, this was hard to deal with psychologically. I can hardly abide feeling greasy and "unclean".
But very swiftly, my P&Ps began to clear up and the redness around them faded. Now, after ten days on this new regimen, I have no P&Ps (for the first time since this began), only some mild and fading pink scars where they were. I have also gotten used to the feeling of moisturized skin, and am no longer associating it with greasiness and dirtiness. I think I may no longer need Metrogel soon, and will be stopping it as an experiment in about a week, to see if the P&Ps return.
I am beginning to suspect that I may not have had rosacea at all, but merely a damaged skin barrier causing a rash/irritation. This did all begin overnight, with the use of a harsh retinol product.
So, we will see what happens.